black politics on the web
Professional racecar driver Tia Norfleet has visions of giving to a community that supports her. As the first, youngest and only African-American female driver on the NASCAR circuit, Norfleet has set the stage to opening the doors of diversity in a highly controversial and predominately male oriented sport.
With lawsuits that have been filed as well by other minorities, which have accused NASCAR of racial discrimination, many people wonder why and how can Norfleet compete in this division of racing. “It is sheer passion and instinct that drives this youngster to want to compete in this sport. She was born to compete,” says Isaac Hayes, spokesperson/CEO of the online fund raising organization, Tiapower.com.
Norfleet comes from a family with a history in racing. Her father Bobby Norfleet made his NASCAR debut at the Portland International Raceway road course on March 26, 2000, where he competed against NASCAR driver Bill Lester making that race historical. It was the only time in NASCAR history that two African-Americans drivers have competed at the same time.
With many accolades of her own including being spokesperson for the Safe America Diving program, and appearing in commercials for companies such as Verizon wireless and doing numerous magazine ads and radio and television interviews, Norfleet has given Black women everywhere new hope in following their dreams.
The million-dollar question that many people ask is, will the NASCAR community accept Tia for who she is, and that is according to Hayes, a true competitor. “Our goal is to raise funds needed for everyone to find out,” says Edward Williams, founder of the medium sized marketing company Team Tia.
Taking a page out of the country’s 44th President Barack Obama’s playbook, going grassroots to make history. Williams said “If President Obama can raise $700 million, surely we can raise $5 million to get Tia on the track. We have a good team and I think with the public’s help we can get Tia on the track and testing in two weeks.
“To ensure the success of this effort to fundraise,” says Hayes, CEO of Tiapower.com, “we have inked a lucrative deal with Alvin Kline, the social media guru and wed success agency team to head this unique grassroots online crown funding campaign. I am confident that Alvin Kline along with Team Tia and the additional benefits and memorabilia we are offering the donors at Tiapower.com should allow us the chance to find out.”
As Tia prepares to take the wheel, the world holds on and wonders if the community that she supports will support her.
The answer waits at the finish line.
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